For the past several years, Disney World has been rolling out major new attractions and even entirely new lands on a regular basis and good news for fans, that trend looks to continue for the next several years!
Trying to plan a trip around something new that is opening?
In general, you may find it easier (and more relaxing) to plan a trip on your timeline, not Disney's.
There have been so many new things opening in the past few years - Pandora over at Animal Kingdom & Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Hollywood Studios just to name 2 - that you'll have plenty of "new" stuff to see and do in the parks right now so there's no need to wait.
Want to find out what you can expect to see coming to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando in 2020 (and beyond)?
Check it out below!
Early 2020
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
New restaurant
Location: Epcot
More dining updates coming to Epcot! A new quick-service restaurant will soon be taking the place of Liberty Inn which closed on July 8th.
According to Disney, the "new location will be a modern barbecue smokehouse, with all the accompanying sights, sounds, smells and flavors you love – including a large smoker preparing fine food every day right on the pavilion’s promenade. There will also be a redesigned patio for you to enjoy, so get ready to grab a brew, some barbecue, and relax inside Epcot."
Read more on the Disney Parks Blog.
Wondrous China
New show
Location: Epcot
Announced at Destination D in November 2018, China will be getting an updated 360-degree film. The new film will be called Wondrous China and will premier in 2020.
February 2020
Space 220
New restaurant
Location: Epcot
Located between Mission: Space and Test Track, this new space-themed restaurant will use special technology to give guests views of “space” from their table.
March 2020
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway (March 4, 2020)
New attraction
Location: Hollywood Studios
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open up in Spring 2020 as part of Hollywood Studios’ 30th Anniversary. This new attraction is inside the Chinese Theater and replaces The Great Movie Ride, which closed in 2017.
Featuring new technology Disney calls “2 ½ D”, guests will be put inside the zany world of a Mickey Mouse cartoon in the first-ever ride-through attraction themed entirely around Mickey Mouse. There will be no minimum height requirement for this attraction which means it can be enjoyed by the whole family!
Read more about it on the Disney Parks Blog.
Mickey Shorts Theater
New attraction
Location: Hollywood Studios
Taking the place of the now closed Star Wars: Path of the Jedi theater, this new Mickey Shorts Theater is expected to open in Hollywood Studios in March 2020. The theater will feature a short film styled after the animated series "Mickey Mouse" on the Disney Channel.
April 2020
Drawn to Life - new Cirque du Soleil show (April 17, 2020)
New show
Location: Disney Springs
Disney announced at D23 in August 2019 that the new show, named "Drawn to Life", will open to the public on April 17, 2020.
The show is a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. According to Disney, the show will "celebrate the art of animation through the magic of storytelling in a way that only Cirque du Soleil can deliver while paying homage to the craftsmanship that makes Disney animation special and unique."
Below is the description of the show's story:
"This new show follows the story of Julie, a courageous and determined girl who discovers an unexpected gift left by her late father: an unfinished animation piece. Guided by a surprising pencil, she embarks on an inspiring quest sprinkled with her Disney childhood memories. Through this journey, she learns to imagine new possibilities and animate the story of her future."
Checkout the video below for a behind the scenes look at the new show.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on the Disney World website.
2020
HarmonioUS (Spring 2020)
New nighttime show
Location: Epcot
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth will be ending in 2019 (and a temporary show called Epcot Forever will be presented in its place) however a brand-new spectacular will debut sometime in 2020. Disney has said this new show will be a “worldwide celebration of Disney music” and is sure to inspire.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (Summer 2020)
New attraction
Location: Epcot
The France pavilion is getting a new Ratatouille-themed attraction named "Remy's Ratatouille Adventure".
Similar to the version at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, this 4-D attraction uses an innovative “trackless” ride system. Construction on this new ride is currently underway.
Authentic Crêperie (Summer 2020)
New restaurant
Location: Epcot
Opening near the coming "Remy's Ratatouille Adventure" will be an authentic crêperie featuring cuisine from chef Jérôme Bocuse who is already behind Chefs de France and Monsieur Paul in the Epcot France pavilion. The new restaurant will feature savory and sweet crepes and have both a quick-service and table service dining option available.
The Cove
New resort
Location: Boardwalk area
A new resort is coming to the Swan and Dolphin-area.
Named “The Cove” this new resort will be more group-oriented and convention-focused and will include several venues for renting, including a rooftop area perfect for weddings and other V.I.P. events.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land
New restaurant
Location: Hollywood Studios
Located in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios, Roundup Rodeo BBQ will be a full-service restaurant offering guests the opportunity to be immersed in a "kaleidoscope of toys, games, and play sets." According to Disney, "Using three cardboard boxes cut and taped together, Andy has created a new rodeo arena using some of his favorite toys, games, and play sets."
2021 (specific dates unknown)
Tron Lightcycle Power Run
New attraction
Location: Magic Kingdom
Construction has begun on Tron Lightcycle Power Run which is a brand new coaster-style attraction coming to Magic Kingdom.
Inspired by a similar attraction at Shanghai Disneyland, this new ride has broken ground near Space Mountain in Tomorrowland.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
New attraction
Location: Epcot
Construction is well underway for a new Guardians of the Galaxy “storytelling coaster-style” attraction at Epcot.
With ride vehicles that rotate and direct your view towards the story unfolding around you, this new ride is HUGE (Disney has said it is one of the world’s longest enclosed coasters) and is sure to impress when it opens in 2021.
New Epcot entrance
Location: Epcot
This new entrance will totally transform the area between the front of the park and Spaceship Earth. Concept art includes plenty of green space, winding paths, and the relocation of the monolithic Leave a Legacy photos to a yet undisclosed area outside the front of the park.
New "play" pavilion
New interactive experience
Location: Epcot
Located in the former "Wonders of Life Pavilion", this new attraction has been described as an immersive and interactive experience where play fuels the fun. Disney says: "Built on the power of play, [the new pavilion] introduces an immersive and interactive ‘city’ where you can explore, create, and interact with some of your favorite Disney characters."
Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
New interactive experience
Location: Epcot
According to Disney, this "first ever experience based on the Walt Disney Animation Studios hit film, 'Moana', will let guests interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting.
Read more on the Disney Parks Blog.
Mary Poppins area
New interactive experience
Location: Epcot
Announced at D23 in August 2019, Cherry Tree Lane will join the United Kingdom pavilion as a new neighborhood.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser resort
New resort
No exact date has been given yet for this new highly-immersive resort but we do know it is supposed to open in 2021. We have a few other details as well.
Billed as a “living adventure” and totally unlike anything else on Disney property, this new resort will be 100% immersive and connect guests to the Star Wars universe in never before seen ways.
Guests will check in to stay for 2 nights and will able to interact and participate with stories and characters on their adventure.
Construction is underway.
2022
Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge
New resort
Building on the popularity of Disney Vacation Club, a planned 16th resort is in the works for the area between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. For guests familiar with that area, that is the spot of the now closed River Country water park.
Recently Opened
Want to see when a new favorite opened up? You can find it on the list below!
Disney Junior Dance Party! (Opened December 22, 2018)
New attraction
Location: Hollywood Studios
Disney Junior Live on Stage has been under refurbishment since September of 2018 but opened back up on December 22nd as the new Disney Junior Dance Party!
This all-new live high-energy program features the stars from some of the top Disney Junior shows including Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Doc McStuffins, The Lion Guard, and Vampirina and will is hosted by Finn Fiesta with tunes provided by a DJ aptly named Deejay.
Limited-time celebration for Mickey’s 90th (Ongoing until September 2019)
New "street party", updated character meet, and entertainment
Location: Magic Kingdom
Lots of Mickey-inspired fun was around for Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration including the Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party as well as new Mickey and Minnie touches that will be sprinkled throughout the park by way of new music (Dapper Dans), themed merchandise and treats, and a joint Mickey and Minnie character meet at Town Square Theater.
Mickey and Minnie no longer meet together in their cute outfits, but you can still check out the Move it! Shake it! MousekeDance It! Street Party daily. Check the My Disney Experience app for times.
The Incredibles are coming! (Started January 2019 and went through September 30, 2019)
New character meet & dance party
Location: Hollywood Studios
2018 found The Incredibles watching over Magic Kingdom for Disney’s Incredible Summer promotion but for 2019 they found a new home over in Hollywood Studios.
Pixar Place (which is where the old entrance to Toy Story Mania was located) was transformed into a Municiberg city block and there you could find a party for 3 very special guests: Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, and Frozone, a character meet with Edna Mode.
The Incredible Summer promotion has since ended but you are still able to find Edna over there during the day (check the My Disney Experience App for times).
Mike & Sulley Character meet (Started January 2019)
New character meet
Location: Hollywood Studios
January 18th was a big day for some other favorites from Pixar, too.
That's when a brand new character meet for Monster’s, Inc.'s very own Mike and Sulley opened up. This meet takes place inside of Walt Disney Presents near Pixar Place and the entrance to Toy Story Land.
25th anniversary of The Lion King (Started May 24, 2019 and went through September 30, 2019)
New attraction
Location: Animal Kingdom
In honor of the 25th anniversary of The Lion King, Animal Kingdom got a new dance party with a couple of your favorite characters from The Lion King: Timon and Rafiki. The Hakuna Matata Time Dance Party was held on Discovery Island.
In addition, there will also be some new photo opportunities that will put you into the scenes of the classic via some fun three-dimensional backdrops.
Even though the official anniversary has ended, you can still find some of the photo ops in the park.
Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy (Opened March 31, 2019)
New attraction
Location: Hollywood Studios
Cars fans were excited when Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy made its way to Hollywood Studios in early 2019.
This fun new Cars-themed experience is located in Sunset Showcase which is an area near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Wonderful World of Animation (Started May 1, 2019)
New nighttime show
Location: Hollywood Studios
A brand-new projection show called Wonderful World of Animation is now shown nightly at Hollywood Studios.
Using state-of-the-art technology, this new show began in honor of the park's 30th Anniversary Celebration and transforms the front of the Chinese Theater to take guests on a journey through 90 years of fantastical Disney animation.
Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs (Opened July 9, 2019)
New resort
A new 15-story resort tower is now open at Disney’s Coronado Springs.
Gran Destino Tower adds 545 additional guest rooms (including 50 suites), and 2 new restaurants: Three Bridges Bar and Grill which is located on an island in the middle of the Lago Dorado and a new rooftop Table Service restaurant called Toledo - Tapas, Steak, & Seafood.
Takumi-Tei in Japan pavilion (opened July 5, 2019)
New restaurant
Location: Epcot
Located in the Japan pavilion of Epcot, a new Signature Dining Experience inspired by the natural beauty of Japan is now available for guests.
NBA Experience at Disney Springs (opened August 12, 2019)
New attraction
Location: Disney Springs
Sports fans will love the new NBA Experience that opened August 12, 2019 at Disney Springs.
This new entertainment spot is designed to “capture the spirit and energy of pro basketball through immersive experiences" including a station where guests can practice their ball handling skills with an interactive trainer, a spot to get a photo on the "draft stage", and an area to practice the perfect slam dunk (complete with cameras and an adjustable basketball goal for those that can't quite leap as high as the pros).
Tickets for this fun new entertainment option in Disney Springs are now on sale on the Disney World website.
Prices are $34 for adults and $29 for children ages 3 to 9 (taxes extra).
Read more about the new NBA Experience on the Disney Parks Blog
Find out more about Disney Springs
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (Opened August 29, 2019) & Rise of the Resistance (Opened December 5, 2019)
New land
Location: Hollywood Studios
This huge (14 acres!) and hyper-immersive land houses 2 new attractions (Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run & Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance), restaurants (Oga’s Cantina & Docking Bay 7), Milk Stand food kiosk, plus lots and lots of Star Wars details.
Read more about Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Walt Disney World Skyliner (Opened September 29, 2019)
New transportation option
Disney World is known for having a wide selection of transportation options (boat, bus, monorail) and that trend is continuing with a new way to get around: gondolas.
This new transportation system called Disney Skyliner will carries guests from 4 resorts (Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach and the new Riviera Resort) to 2 different parks: Hollywood Studios and Epcot (on the International Gateway side).
Read more about the Disney Skyliner Gondola system
Epcot Forever (Opened October 1, 2019)
New nighttime show
Location: Epcot
A new interim nighttime spectacular has replaced Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.
Named “Epcot Forever” this new show will feature sclassic Epcot tunes and will incorporate fireworks, lasers, and special effect kites.
A permanent replacement will debut in 2020.
Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience (Opened October 1, 2019)
New interactive experience
Location: Epcot
With so many changes to Epcot happening in the next few years, Disney is providing guests with an opportunity to preview what is coming.
Located in the Odyssey Events Pavilion (which is frequently used as the Festival Center during), a new "Experience Center" provides Epcot visitors with a chance to see and explore (through interactive exhibits) the future of Epcot.
Enchanted Rose (Opened October 8, 2019)
New lounge
Location: Grand Floridian Resort
The former Mizner's Lounge at the Grand Floridian resort has reopened as the Enchanted Rose, a Beauty and the Beast themed lounge.
The lounge features 4 uniquely themed areas including a library, a garden room, Belle's ball gown, and an outdoor patio themed to Beast's garden terrace.
Read more on the Disney Parks Blog.
Disney’s Riviera Resort (Opened December 16, 2019)
New resort
Inspired by the grandeur that Walt himself saw and experienced during his travels along Europe’s Mediterranean coastline, Disney's Riviera (a Disney Vacation Club resort) is located near Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and includes convenient access to the new Disney Skyliner gondola system.
In addition, the location also provides fantastic views of some of the nighttime spectaculars in the parks.
Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (Opened January 17, 2020)
New attraction
Location: Epcot
Capitalizing on the success of the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration in Epcot, this new Beauty and the Beast-themed sing-along will be housed in the same theater where Impressions de France is shown (Disney has said it won’t be replacing this fan favorite, they’ll just share the space and alternate show times).
This show is being created by the same person (Don Hahn) that produced both the animated and live-action versions of Beauty and the Beast.
Awesome Planet (January 17, 2020)
New show
Location: Epcot
The Land pavilion at Epcot is getting a new film with an environmental message called "Awesome Planet". According to Disney, the film will feature "spectacular nature photography, immersive in-theater effects, and space sequences created by none other than Industrial Light & Magic (which provided the cinematic foundation for the Star Wars franchise)."
Canada Far and Wide (Opened January 17, 2020)
New show
Location: Epcot
Announced at Destination D in November 2018, Canada received an updated 360-degree film. The new film is called Canada Far and Wide and premiered in January 2020.
